Police have issued a warning to masqueraders to stay away from large trucks in motion during Carnival celebrations.

This follows the death of a 77-year-old man who was crushed by a music truck on Duke Street.

The Police Service issued the following statement on Monday evening:

"Thousands of police officers, supported by members of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, along with other law enforcement personnel, began blanketing the country from midnight on Carnival Sunday, in preparation for the official declaration of the start of Carnival at 4:00am today, Monday 12th February, 2018.

Traditionally the reign of the merry monarch, begins with J’ouvert celebrations at Carnival venues across the country.

In readiness for the throng of masqueraders and spectators that descend on these venues, police officers were positioned at strategic points in and around Port of Spain as well as in San Fernando, Chaguanas, Tunapuna, Arima, Crown Point, Roxborough and other Carnival locations.

In anticrime exercises carried out throughout the country, several persons were arrested for possession of narcotics; possession of weapons/sharp instruments of any type; resisting arrest and disorderly behaviour, as police enforced a zero tolerance on any infraction of the law.

Notwithstanding the heavy presence of law enforcement personnel, two fatal stabbings were reported – one of which is directly linked to Carnival.

In the first incident, a 24-year-old man died at the San Fernando General Hospital after being stabbed during J’ouvert celebrations along Cipero Street.

In the other incident, three persons were detained by police following the stabbing death of a 17-year-old male.

The teenager was stabbed after becoming involved in an altercation whilst walking along the Southern Main Road, in the vicinity of Factory Road, Chaguanas.

Homicide investigators are pursuing both incidents.

Meanwhile, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), is advising masqueraders and spectators to remain a safe distance away from music trucks and heavy vehicles, following two unfortunate incidents one of which ended tragically.

A 77-year-old man, visiting from Florida, died when he got caught under the wheels of a music truck which was reversing in the vicinity of Victoria Square, Port of Spain, around 1:00 pm today.

In an earlier incident, a 30-year-old woman of Powder Magazine, Diego Martin, is warded at the Port of Spain General Hospital, after falling off a music truck around 7:30 am today at Victoria Avenue, Port of Spain.

Drivers with permits for heavy vehicles and other types of vehicles, authorized to provide transport on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, are reminded of the requirements of the permits when they were granted.

The operators of these vehicles must ensure there is no risk to public safety when engaging or driving their vehicles.

Masqueraders are advised to maintain a safe distance from moving vehicles at all times and should avoid assuming precarious or dangerous positions on music trucks when in motion."